Ulster Bank League: Division 2B Previews

Division 2B has an interesting look at this early stage of the season with newcomers Boyne and Cashel in first and second place respectively. This Saturday will be another test for all concerned in what is a tightly-contested division.

ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 2B: Saturday, October 15

Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated -

Banbridge (9th) v Armagh (5th), Rifle Park

This one will clear the cobwebs on a Saturday afternoon. An Ulster derby as two strong community clubs go head to head at Rifle Park.

The Bann won their opening game 16-12 at home to Navan but slipped up by the exact same score away to Cashel last time out.

Armagh got an early lesson in life in Division 2B from Sunday's Well but impressively posted a bonus point-winning 52 points on Wanderers last weekend.

It was tight when the sides met in the Ulster Senior League last month with Armagh coming out on top 17-15 at the same venue.

Cashel (2nd) v Highfield (3rd), Spafield

Another derby, this time a Munster one, as both sides go in search of their third win on the trot in Division 2B.

Cashel have picked up successive victories over Suttonians and Banbridge, while Highfield have beaten NUIM Barnhall and Sunday's Well in recent weeks.

Neither side has picked up a try-scoring bonus point as yet and in a tight game like this we may not see one on Saturday, but it will be an absorbing encounter and well-supported to boot.

Connemara (10th) v Ards (13th), Monastery Field

Connemara's opening day triumph over Naas and their losing bonus point against table toppers Boyne show that last season's struggles have hardened them up.

A trip to Monastery Field will not be easy this season and Ards, with only a draw against Suttonians in the plus column, may find this a tricky encounter.

Form and home advantage should see Peter Bracken's side take another scalp, so we are plumping for a home win.

Navan (7th) v Naas (15th), Balreask Old

Meath against Kildare in this Leinster clash at Balreask Old on Saturday. Navan followed up their opening day losing point with a good win over newcomers Sligo last Saturday.

Naas lost to Connemara on the opening day by three points but went down badly under the floodlights to NUIM Barnhall last weekend.

The home side look to have the edge, but visitors Naas badly need to get off the mark this season and that hunger may just push them to victory.

NUIM Barnhall (8th) v Rainey Old Boys (4th), Parsonstown

NUIM Barnhall picked up four points in their 'Friday Night Lights' clash in Naas last week to add to their losing bonus point at home to Highfield the week before.

Rainey opened the season with a bonus point win over Ards and earned what may prove to be a valuable two points in a draw with Highfield last weekend.

The Leixlip/Maynooth axis is proving very beneficial and NUIM Barnhall have shown to be lively opponents so far this season. But the men from Magherafelt were one of the pre-season favourites for this division and still look likely.

Sligo (14th) v Nenagh Ormond (6th), Hamilton Park

Sligo are the only one of the league's four newcomers not to get a win under their belts during the opening two rounds of action.

The Connacht outfit started brightly enough with a one-point loss to Boyne but went down Navan last weekend.

Nenagh Ormond are another side that could be in the mix at the end of the season. They have a win over Wanderers and a draw with Rainey to their credit. Sligo need to kickstart their season but the Tipperary club could prove too strong.

Sunday's Well (11th) v Wanderers (16th), Musgrave Park

The opening two games for Sunday's Well have been low-scoring affairs - a 9-6 win over Sligo and an 11-6 loss to Highfield.

By contrast, Sunday's visitors Wanderers have conceded 73 points in their first two outings, shipping 52 of them against Armagh last time out.

It looks like being a long season for the Merrion Road outfit and a trip to Musgrave Park is never easy when you are not firing on all cylinders.

Suttonians (12th) v Boyne (1st), JJ McDowell Memorial Grounds

A bit of a transition season for Suttonians may see them stuggle. They lost to newcomers Cashel and drew with Ards in the opening two rounds.

Saturday afternoon sees Boyne, another newly promoted club, come calling with two wins and a try-scoring bonus point to their name.

The Drogheda side look in good shape and if they keep their focus for the duration of the campaign, they will trouble any side. They could maintain their table-topping form with a victory in Sutton.

Looking forward to facing England on Sunday, Ireland winger Tommy Bowe said: "We've trained very well this week, we're really excited about the game. It's about going out there and doing whatever we can to get ourselves that win."

Second row Devin Toner previews Ireland's crunch RBS 6 Nations clash with England, saying: "It's a pretty formidable English pack. Attwood and Kruis have played fantastically well. They're well drilled and focused and their scrum and lineout are very good."

Looking forward to facing England this weekend, Ireland back rower Sean O'Brien said: "It's obviously exciting, but it's one game at a time. I don't think there's any more pressure on us than in the first two games. That's the way you have to look at it."

Irish Rugby TV sat down with Ireland Under-20 scrum coach John Fogarty to talk about the U-20 Six Nations so far and Friday's clash with England at Donnybrook. Tickets are on sale on www.ticketmaster.ie.

Shane Byrne and Malcolm O'Kelly preview the Ireland v England Legends match which takes place at Donnybrook this coming Saturday (kick-off 7.30pm). Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.ie. All proceeds from the game will go to support the IRFU Charitable Trust and the RFU All Schools Charity.

Watch highlights from the Ireland team announcement press conference as Joe Schmidt reveals the team to play France. Peter O'Mahony says it is good to 'have some big figures back' for Saturday's clash.